2016 draw results

[Hummer]

Just returned from hunting elk and bear on public land just outside the Flat Tops Wilderness--31 years in the same area. I climbed over the mountain and still hunted in the dark spruce-fir forest. Got lucky on opening day, connecting with a cow elk at 27 yards, a single quick shot offhand. Yea! Another year of fine meat for the family. My 28th elk.





After field dressing and laying the parts over a log to cool overnight, I returned the next day to pack out the meat. Soon after, a Pine Marten arrived to share in the bounty, hauling scraps to cache high into the trees, safe from other ground predators.








Pine Martens are cool critters, one of my favorite mammals. I've seen them maybe 40-50 times. Like a miniature Wolverine or a supersized Long-tailed Weasel, Pine Martens are ferocious predators able to chase down squirrels in the trees. They are also smart, opportunistic scavengers. Ten years ago I watched a pair feed off the remains of a buck mule deer I had shot. And Martens have sneaked in to steal trout from me while fishing on a few occasions.

I had a heck of a time getting photos in the dark forest because these guys are always moving. I still had tags for bull elk and bear, so I returned to the kill site four days later in hope of finding a bear on the gut pile, or maybe getting more views of the Pine Marten. No evidence of bear but I was surprised to find two Pine Martens working the carcass. Apparently the male didn't appreciate sharing with a smaller female and they fought twice while I was there, growling and barking repeatedly. It was an amazing scene.

They are tenacious and strong, dragging the front portion of the elk rib cage down the hill about 60 feet.





I returned again the following day--didn't see the martens but found they had turned over the gut pile and moved it about four feet to access the fat. The elk head was missing--no tracks besides the martens and birds were present. I think they hauled the head off.






It was a fun and productive hunt--although the very warm temperatures made for noisy ground conditions, and there were few elk in the area where snow is required to move the larger herds out of the high country. Most reports are that the first and second season harvest has been poor this year.

[TRnCO]

very cool and congrats on the meat n the freezer. I know my family and friends struggled first season only filling 2 of 7 elk tags.

[Hummer]

Yes, I think a lot of hunters went home without this year. Elk harvest is so weather dependent. In most areas it takes deep snow to move elk to their wintering grounds. A little bit of snow is great for tracking but 1-2 feet makes getting around really tough for the hunter. But once on the move, it's like rush hour in elk city. The outfitter I camp near packed out only five elk in 1st and 2nd seasons this year. Last year they packed 28 elk. In 2012 they packed 43. There's a hunting camp down the road where I visited and shared a meal with some great fellows last Friday. Only one hunter killed an elk, a nice bull. Another hunter killed a black bear.

[sniper7]

Very cool congrats!
yep in hearing the same thing, success numbers waaay down. More elk for next year!

[Irving]

Nice bear.

[rondog]

Well, I'm bummed. I have a permit to hunt a new SWA, I made several scouting trips to check it out and the deer were fairly frolicking about. I did a lot of homework and Google Earthing, and had my plans all laid out. Success was imminent!

So I was there at o-dark-thirty Saturday, ready for glory. As the sun came up, the friggin COWS started moving about in every direction! When I scouted the place, there weren't any cows there, and it looked there hadn't been for years. But now that my tag turned green, there was suddenly 2-300 damned COWS all over my hunting paradise. And not a mule deer to be seen.

Hunted the place four times in two days, NO deer, I didn't even scare up any that went scampering away. The only deer even close by were on the other side of the fences, making faces at me. Bummed me out, but at least I got in some good hiking. Lot of walking for a fat old man.....

[Irving]

An unsuccessful hunt is still better than no hunt, in my opinion.

[rondog]

An unsuccessful hunt is still better than no hunt, in my opinion.

True dat. I did enjoy the time afield, even the dozen times I slid under the barbed wire fence, until the time it snagged my trigger finger and sliced it open.....

[sniper7]

It the words of my late grandfather when crossing a fence "I'd rather cut my hand than my pecker"

[brutal]

Well, I'm bummed. I have a permit to hunt a new SWA, I made several scouting trips to check it out and the deer were fairly frolicking about. I did a lot of homework and Google Earthing, and had my plans all laid out. Success was imminent!

So I was there at o-dark-thirty Saturday, ready for glory. As the sun came up, the friggin COWS started moving about in every direction! When I scouted the place, there weren't any cows there, and it looked there hadn't been for years. But now that my tag turned green, there was suddenly 2-300 damned COWS all over my hunting paradise. And not a mule deer to be seen.

Hunted the place four times in two days, NO deer, I didn't even scare up any that went scampering away. The only deer even close by were on the other side of the fences, making faces at me. Bummed me out, but at least I got in some good hiking. Lot of walking for a fat old man.....

Rondog to landowner,"Can I hunt here?"
Landowner, "Sure thing Ron, you seem like a nice guy."
Landowner thinking to himself, "I need to turn the cow herd loose here next week."